The first cohort of detectives from the RAF’s specialist investigation branch have completed a secondment in the Watford local crime policing unit.
Hertfordshire Chief Constable Charlie Hall met with Chief of the RAF, Police Group Captain David Wilkinson at Police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on July 5 to mark the achievement of the first ever Project Verto programme.
In January this year, four non-commissioned officers from the RAF Police’s specialist investigation branch began their secondment with the crime unit based at the police station in Shady Lane in Watford.
The new partnership provides a platform for investigators from both organisations to share tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure the branch continue to operate under national best practice.
In their daily roles the investigative detectives look at similar offences to their Constabulary counterparts, including serious violent crime, fraud and sexual offences.
During their time working in the Watford, the officers were exposed to a varied range of offences including burglary, robbery and assault. They assisted their colleagues with their investigations, developing their skills and sharing intelligence.
Chief Constable Hall said: "It gave me great pleasure to welcome Group Captain Wilkinson and his colleagues to Police Headquarters to mark six months since the commencement of Project Verto. It has been a great opportunity for detectives from the RAF’s Specialist Investigation Branch to work in a busy Local Crime Unit, and they have really risen to the challenge.
"I’m very proud of our colleagues in the crime unit who have had the chance to hone their managerial skills by providing excellent mentorship. We are very much looking forward to further developing our relationship with the RAF Police in the future.”
Group Captain Wilkinson said: "I am pleased to see the extent to which our relationship with Hertfordshire Police has evolved, working closely with staff throughout the organisation to ensure we provide the best possible policing and investigative service to victims of crime within the Royal Air Force.
"I look forward to seeing further innovative ideas and opportunities, including digital solutions between our two organisations in the future."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here